Notebooks - Technology Support Services

Documentation

1. Updates fix problems and help make your computer run better.
2. Some updates are scheduled to be available at routine intervals. For instance Windows updates typically come out the second Tuesday of the month. Windows computers are configured to automatically download the updates but not install them until the next time the computer is restarted. For this reason you will want to install the updates at a time that is convenient for you rather than have them automatically install at a critical time when you need your computer such as when finishing a paper, studying for an exam, or when you need to take an online exam.
3. Your computer connects to the NMU network, and unless it has the latest updates, it can create a weak spot on the network. In other words, an non-updated computer can be taken over by someone else, via the network, and used to attack the network itself and other Web sites.
4. You are responsible for any actions taken through your computer, even if you are not doing them. If your computer is found to be attacking other sites and/or distributing illegal material, your NMU account may be locked out and any computers registered under your account will not be allowed to access the campus network.
5. Fortunately, updating is easy. Visit our Windows Update page or Apple's Mac Update page to learn how.

Documentation

NMU public network printers are located in the NMU Library, Jacobetti Center, and PEIF. For your convenience these printers are already set up on your NMU issued ThinkPad or MacBook.

Using the printers requires you to pay for each printed page using CatCash on your NMU ID (Wildcat Express Card). See the Library's Printing page for help on setting up for their printers or adding funds to your CatCash.

Documentation

Computers must be connected to the network to be registered. Registering your computer or device allows you to access the internet without restricitons to nmu.edu pages. You must have an active NMU account to register your device. 

1. Make sure you are connected to the NMU campus network using the computer you wish to register with the type of connection you are registering.
2. Open Internet Explorer (or any web browser) and go to http://www-register.nmu.edu to open the registration page (clicking this link will open the page in a new window so you can still follow these directions).
   Note: If the page does not display NOT REGISTERED under "Machine Status:" then your computer is already registered with this connection on the campus network and you do not need to continue any further.
3. If NOT REGISTERED is displayed enter your NMU User ID (i.e. jsmith without the @nmu.edu) and password. Then click Sign In.
   
    
4. Using the scroll bar at the right, read NMU's Computer Network Acceptable Use Policy and then click I Have Read the NMU Acceptable Use Policy button at the bottom.
   
    
5. You now must answer a short test about NMU's Computer Network Acceptable Use Policy that you just read in the previous step. Answer the quesitons by clicking the buttons corresponding to the correct answers and then click Submit Answers at the bottom of the page.
6. Your registration is now complete. For security, click the Logout button on the final screen or simply close your browser window.
   
   
   It will take about 10 minutes before you have full access to the campus network. Please remember to register each connection available for each computer you will be using to access the campus network. If you have any questions about registering your computer or need further assistance please contact the Help Desk at 227-2468.

Documentation

You can rehearse your presentation to make sure that it fits within a certain time frame. While you rehearse, use the Rehearse Timings feature to record the time that you need to present each slide, and then use the recorded times to advance the slides automatically when you give your presentation to your actual audience.

Be prepared to start delivering your presentation immediately after you complete step 1.

1. Select the "Slideshow" tab, click "Rehearse Timings"

- The "Rehearsal" toolbar appears, and the "Slide Time" box begins timing the presentation.

1. Next (advance to the next slide)
2. Pause
3. Slide Time
4. Repeat
5. Total time for presentation 
 

2. While you time your presentation, do one or more of the following on the "Rehearsal" toolbar:

• To move to the next slide, click "Next"
• To temporarily stop recording the time, click "Pause"
• To restart recording the time after pausing, click "Pause"
• To restart recording the time for the current slide, click "Repeat"

3. After you set the time for the last, a message box displays the total time for the presentation and prompts you to do one of the following:

• To keep the recorded slide timings, click "Yes"
• To discard the recorded slide timings, click "No"

Slide Sorter view appears and displays the time of each slide in your presentation.

Turn the recorded slide timings off before you give a presentation

If you do not want the slides in your presentation to advance automatically by using the slide timings that you recorded, do the following to turn the slide timings off:

• On the "Slide Show" tab on the ribbon menu, clear the "Use Timings" check box. 

Documentation

With Microsoft Office, you are able to save and export regular word documents as PDF files. 

1. With the document that you want to export/save as a PDF open, select "File" from the ribbon in the top left corner

2. Select "Export" option that appears along the left-hand side

3. Then select "Create PDF/XPS Document" in the center of the screen

4. Choose a folder to export the PDF 
5. Type a name for the document and select "Publish"

Now you can navigate to the folder where you saved the PDF document will open as a PDF file, instead of a regular Word document. 

Documentation

1. Make sure your computer is connected to the Internet in the location where you will be taking the quiz.
2. Log into your class on Educat in Chrome or Firefox.
3. Click on the quiz you need to take. If Lockdown Browser is required, it will now launch.
4. If prompted to close a blocked program (e.g. screen capture, instant messaging) choose "Yes" when prompted. This may occur several times until everything needed to be quit is closed. -- OR -- , close LockDown Browser and then close the blocked program(s) before restarting.
5. Once a quiz has been started with LockDown Browser, you cannot exit until the "Submit all and finish" button is clicked.

TIPS

• Prior to your first assessment, complete the practice quiz available in most courses using the LockDown Browser to make sure it works correctly.
• If a LockDown Browser update is available the program will take time to install it when the Lockdown Browser is a opened. Something you might check for before the day of a major exam.
• For Windows computers, routinely install Windows updates (due on the second Tuesday of the month after 6 pm) so you don't have to wait for them to install if you have to restart your computer just before the exam.

Documentation

The Lenovo System Update tool installs unique updates to your ThinkPad computer that are not included in the Microsoft updates. We recommend you routinely run System Update on a monthly basis and install the critical, recommended, and optional updates to keep your computer software up to date.

This page has been split into 2 sections. The first section covers installing the updates related to problems with audio, video and using projectors and takes about 20 minutes to complete. The second section covers installing the full set of recommended updates and takes about an hour to complete. You can do the first section and complete the second section at some later date if you would like.

• Section 1 Updates that Resolve Audio, Video, and Projector Problems
• Section 2 All Recommended Updates

Section 1 Updates that Resolve Audio, Video, and Projector Problems

WARNING: Lenovo System Updates can contain firmware updates. It is critical that firmware updates are not interrupted. Therefore, we recommend you preform the System Updates with the computer connected to AC power and a fast Internet connection (either NMU WiFi or NMU Ethernet) at a time and place where the update will not be interrupted. If this is something you do not feel comfortable doing yourself, please visit the HelpDesk and get a request to have Micro Repair perform the updates. You should back up your files prior to coming in and Micro Repair currently anticipates a 2 hour turnaround time to have your computer ready.
 

1. Close all other programs and applications.
2. Connect to AC Power.
3. Connect to a fast Internet connection (either NMU WiFi or NMU Ethernet).
4. Run Lenovo's "System Update".  To do this, click on the Windows icon found at the bottom left corner of the desktop on the task bar.  Type "system update" and choose it from the list of choices.
  
5. If this is your first time running System Update, it will need to update itself.
  
6. Once you are at the System Update home screen, it will look like this...
  
7. Click "Next" and System Updates will prepare all available updates for you to choose from.
  
8. Once you are able to perform updates, make sure the first update you choose is JUST to update “BIOS” under "Critical Updates" or "Recommended Updates".  You will be prompted to reboot your laptop.
  
9. The second update you should choose should JUST be “Intel HD Graphics Driver” under "Critical Updates".  You will be prompted to reboot your laptop.
  
10. The third and final update you should choose should JUST be “Conexant Audio Driver” under "Optional Updates".  You will be prompted to reboot your laptop.
  
11. While connected to projector in classroom via the 15 pin VGA cable, right click on desktop and choose display settings.
  
12. You will be brought to a screen where you choose "Advanced Settings".
  
13. Then click on the recommended resolution...
  
14. Reduce it to "1366x768"
  

Section 2 All Recommended Updates

The Lenovo System Updates also address network connectivity issues first identified on the T460s ThinkPads in August of 2016 and are recommended for the T460s with the fall 2016 NMU software image. For the T460s ThinkPads as of August 2016 these updates take approximately 1 hour to complete. 

WARNING: Lenovo System Updates can contain firmware updates. It is critical that firmware updates are not interrupted. Therefore, we recommend you preform the System Updates with the computer connected to AC power and a fast Internet connection (either NMU WiFi or NMU Ethernet) at a time and place where the update will not be interrupted. If this is something you do not feel comfortable doing yourself, please visit the HelpDesk and get a request to have Micro Repair perform the updates. You should back up your files prior to coming in and Micro Repair currently anticipates a 2 hour turnaround time to have your computer ready.

1. Close all other programs and applications.
2. Connect to AC Power.
3. Connect to a fast Internet connection (either NMU WiFi or NMU Ethernet).
4. Go to the “Start” menu and type “system update” and select “System Update” from the list of results. The program will start.  



5. The program will start and provide a System Update Welcome screen. Click “Next”.
 

6. The program will search for and download available updates.


7. If prompted to update the System Update tool click “OK”.


8. Lists of available critical, recommended, and optional updates will be displayed in 3 tabs. On the "Critical" and "Optional" tabs, check the “Select All” checkbox to select all the updates. On the "Recommended" tab, select the individual updates excluding "Lenovo Solution Center", "SHAREit", and "Lenovo System Interface Foundation." Click “Next” to begin the update process.


 


9. You may be prompted to download the updates, Click “Download.”


10. You may be prompted to restart your computer, click “Yes”
.

11. The updates will begin downloading.


12. Wait about an hour and expect at least one restart to complete the process.

Documentation

Occasionally the Windows software on NMU issued machines may state that it is not activated or genuine (especially if you haven't connected to an on-campus network recently). You may see prompts stating "The activation period has expired," "You may be a victim of software counterfeiting," or "Windows is not genuine." Follow these intstructions to verify and/or troubleshoot Windows activation. 

 

Activate Windows

1. You will need to be connected to an NMU network (Wifi, Ethernet, or LTE) to activate. If you are off campus, you can also connect using the VPN client.

2. Once connected to an NMU network, you must first ensure that your date and time are correctly synchronized. It is possible for AM/PM to be incorrect, the date to be wrong, or even for the clock to be off by minutes or seconds.  Ensure your time is correct and change it if it isn't by following the instructions at our "Windows Date and Time Zone Settings" page. 

To check activation status in Windows 11, select the Start button, and then select Settings > System and then select Activation .  Your activation status will be listed next to Activation.

Check  activation status in Settings

You'll see one of these activation status messages on the Activation page:

Documentation

Faculty, staff, and some students have access to an NMU network drive. This offers the opportunity to share files with others in the department. It is important to note that these folders are only available from an NMU network connection such as WiFi, wired or WiMAX. Some offices are required to use the VPN client in order to connect to a network drive. Mapping these drives give you easy access to network folders without having to manually connect each time. This is an excellent way for faculty to add their Departmentshare if use it regularly.

Windows
OS X

Windows

1. Open "This PC" from your desktop or from "File Explorer" in the Windows "Start" menu. 

2. Click the "Computer" tab and "Map Network Drive" at the top of the window.
    

3. In the drive list, click a drive letter. you can choose any available letter. You'll need to be connected via VPN or Ethernet to access the drive.
    

4. In the "Folder" box, type the path of the folder or computer - Using Departmentshare as an example.

• For faculty the department share you would use \\departmentshare.nmu.edu\deptname
• If you do not have access to this, you will need to ask your Department Head or Secretary to add you.​

5. To connect every time you log in, select the "Reconnect at logon" check box.

6. Click "Finish." You will be prompted to log in with your credentials. 

Your computer is now connected, or mapped, to the network drive. If you can't connect to a network drive or folder, the computer you're trying to connect to might be turned off or you might not have the correct permissions. If you can't connect, contact your network administrator. 
 

OS X

1. Minimize all open windows and single-click anywhere on the background to make sure "Finder" is the active application on the top left of the screen. 

2. Once you see "Finder" in the top left corner, click the "Go" button. Scroll down and click "Connect to Server."
     

3. Type the path of the share you are trying to map. In most cases you will need to start the server address with "smb://"

For example to connect to the departmentshare you would use "smb://departmentshare.nmu.edu/deptname"

4. Once the path is entered click the "+" sign, and then click "Connect."
 

5. Type in your credentials. Check the "Remember this password in the keychain" to allow the drive to map automatically. Click "Connect."
 

6. Once you connected, your mapped network drive should appear on the upper-right hand portion of your desktop. Double clicking it will show its contents.

Documentation

This page provides key IT related information for NMU graduates and former students.

Notebook computer returns and purchase options

• The immediate return of the NMU notebook is required when any of the following occurs:

  • Complete withdrawal from NMU or graduation from NMU

  • Non-payment of required fees

  • Notification by NMU for the notebook computer's return

• We prefer you return the notebook to the Micro Repair office in LRC 114 when it is open. NMU Public Safety will accept notebook computer returns 24/7. Make sure the following components are returned with the notebook computer: AC power adapter and cord, LTE MyFi hotspot (if issued), and USB DVD Player (if issued). See the Notebook Computer Return Procedure for details.

• Graduating students are sent an email message about the option of purchasing a NMU notebook computer. See the NMU Laptop purchase information for details.

What happens to my NMU account after leaving NMU?

• Access to MyNMU account will continue for 1 year after leaving NMU if you are an undergraduate or 3 years if you are a graduate student regardless of whether you did or didn't graduate. After the 1 or 3 years has passed, your account will be disabled and no longer receive or send new messages.

• Shortly after leaving NMU your NMU network access, including access to NMU LTE, will be disabled. If you would like to continue NMU LTE access you might consider switching to NMU EAN. See www.nmu.edu/ean for details. NMU EAN doesn’t require an alumni email account but offers discounts to NMU Alumni with "Free E-mail for Life" (G Suite) accounts. See the NMU Alumni Association for details. 

We highly recommend:

• Saving or printing an unofficial copy of your transcript available in the "Student Services" tab on MyNMU before your account is disabled.

• Updating your email address and recovery accounts saved on Facebook, airline reservation systems, and similar services. This is especially true for those systems using your NMU email account for resetting an account password such as Facebook or Snapchat. You should update any references to your NMU email account to another accounts you have. The settings are usually available in your ‘My Account’ or ‘Profile’  options for the service.

• Archiving your messages if you do not plan to use your NMU email account after graduating or leaving NMU. We highly recommend saving any of the messages you want to keep to an email account you will be using and delete them from your NMU email account. Otherwise the stored messages could become an unmonitored repository of data for hackers and identity thieves. If you are on the older NMU email system it might be easiest to forward the messages you want to keep to another account and delete them and the rest of your messaages from your NMU email account. If you are on the new NMU G Suite gmail system the Backing Up NMU G Suite instructions cover how to make a copy of your NMU G Suite content into files you can take with you or restore to another account at a later time. You may want to  apply for a "Free E-mail for Life" (NMU Alumni G Suite) account to use from the NMU Alumni office before you leave NMU. See the NMU Alumni Association for details. Once you have an NMU Alumni account, G Suite makes it easy to transfer all your NMU G Suite content to your NMU Alumni G Suite account. See Backing Up NMU G Suite for instructions.